As the United States has felt the strains of economic recession over the retiring ten , so too have the state ’s servicemen and woman . Between 2000 and 2009 , veteran unemployment rose from 3 per centum to 8 per centum , according to a report from the Department of Veteran Affairs . immature veteran between the ages of 18 and 24 block off the bighearted gist , with unemployment peaking at 8 percent . On the flip side , only about 15 percentage of veterans held a college degree during that time point and only 30 to 35 per centum had complete some college .
Recognizing an opportunity to help old-timer get plugged into the workforce , the newAg Warriorsprogram in California ’s Central Valley will launch this calendar month to connect stager and agriculture employers .
establish by the International Agri - Center , which host the World Ag Expo in Tulane , Calif. , Ag Warriors has partnered with four educational institution to grow breeding curriculums that unify the veterans ’ military skills with those need to flourish in a agriculture life history .
“ I believe if you have been on combat patrol in Afghanistan as a warhorse , you are a strong team member with an equally strong study ethic — two characteristics sought most by employers , ” say Larry Dutta , dean of vocation and technical education at College of the Sequoias , an Ag Warriors educational better half . “ If a veteran has some additional caper acquisition ascertain in the military or at a community college , they will become worthful employees . ”
With more than 1,200 agricultural exhibitors each class , the World Ag Expo will serve as the conduit between the ag manufacture and Ag Warriors ’ educational collaborator , with its participants serving as likely employers who can provide jobs and internships to the student veterans .
The key to Ag warrior ’ success , according to Dutta , will be identifying the motive of the husbandry industry and forthwith getting stager connected to a local training programme that match those needs .
“ For example , if WAE was adjoin by a global agriculture company seek experienced craw - production medical specialist and had facilities anywhere in California , our partner college could provide training and veteran soldier to fill those jobs , ” he say .
As the first college to partner with Ag Warriors , COS already has a strong farming programme as well as 180 veterans on campus , Dutta explain . With a fresh campus locate just miles from the WAE on 500 acres of farmland , it ’s perfectly positioned to match the veterans ’ training needs . Plus , it has the infrastructure in station to aid warhorse with tuition , Book , living expense and other costs .
In addition to COS , California Polytechnic State University , San Luis Obispo ; California State University , Fresno ; and West Hills College Coalinga will collaborate with Ag warrior to develop factory farm course of study and host veterans on their campuses .
The programme will formally set in motion at the Ag Warriors Gala on Feb. 15 , 2012 , during the 2012 World Ag Expo . The upshot will feature a keynote address from President George W. Bush and a performance by country music artist Michael Peterson , Ag Warriors ’ spokesperson , who completed nine spell to Iraq and Afghanistan and have the 2008 “ Spirit of Hope ” award for his overhaul .
Many ex-serviceman have already expressed interest in Ag Warriors , according to Liza Teixeira , communications director for IAC , but the platform will not begin registration until after the official launch . For details about the program and program information , veterans can call the IAC at 559 - 688 - 1030 .
“ We believe the farming community is well - suited to ply line to returning warhorse , ” say Jerry Sinift , CEO of IAC . “ Many of our Quaker in agriculture have evince a need for bright , motivated and hardworking individual to join their teams — Ag warrior will be the conduit that connect employer with veterans in hunting of careers in Department of Agriculture . ”
